summary
Introduced
01/31/2025
01/31/2025
In Committee
05/07/2025
05/07/2025
Crossed Over
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Passed
08/15/2025
08/15/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
08/15/2025
08/15/2025
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning special education joint agreements, provides that, for any member district entering into, amending, renewing, or withdrawing from a joint agreement after the effective date of the amendatory Act, (i) for a member district withdrawing from a joint agreement, the member district's school board shall hold a public hearing on the member district's intent to withdraw at least 18 months before the member district's proposed withdrawal date and a written notice of the member district's intent to withdraw and the details of the public hearing shall be sent to the other member districts of the joint agreement no less than 10 days before the public hearing; (ii) a member district that intends to withdraw from a joint agreement shall adopt a comprehensive plan in accordance with certain provisions and submit the plan to the member district's regional office of education or intermediate service center, whichever is applicable; (iii) upon the receipt of a member district's comprehensive plan, the regional superintendent of schools or the executive director of the intermediate service center, whichever is applicable, shall ensure certain criteria are met and shall notify the State Board of Education and the other member districts of the joint agreement of his or her approval of the member district's withdrawal; (iv) a joint agreement shall include provisions for the dissolution of assets in the event the joint agreement is dissolved and provisions for the distribution of assets in the event a member district withdraws from the joint agreement; and (v) a joint agreement shall include a requirement for an annual presentation of the joint agreement's fiscal year budget and the calculation of member and usage fees to all member districts.
AI Summary
This bill amends the School Code to establish more detailed procedures for special education joint agreements, particularly focusing on how school districts can withdraw from these collaborative arrangements. The bill requires that any district intending to withdraw must hold a public hearing at least 18 months before the proposed withdrawal date and provide written notice to other member districts at least 10 days before this hearing. The withdrawing district must develop and submit a comprehensive plan to its regional office of education or intermediate service center, demonstrating its ability to provide a full range of special education services. The regional superintendent must then verify that all required steps have been taken, including proper notification, public hearing, school board resolution, and a comprehensive plan that meets state and federal special education guidelines. Additionally, the bill mandates that joint agreements must include provisions for asset dissolution and distribution, and require an annual presentation of the budget and fee calculations to all member districts. Withdrawing districts must waive claims to joint agreement assets (except those designated for dissolution) and pay their proportional share of pre-withdrawal debt within 12 months of withdrawal. These new provisions aim to make the process of joining, amending, and leaving special education joint agreements more transparent and structured.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0218 (on 08/15/2025)
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